Pin Display Device

ABSTRACT

The pin display device is a layered band or strap of material that integrates multiple clutch fasteners to accept, secure and release ornamental pins having one or more prongs for display and can be used as a wristband, hatband, or component of a belt or carry bag. The pin display device can be integrated into animal equipment such as horse halters or dog collars to sort and identify animals or distinguish certified service animals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/214,229, filed on Sep. 4, 2015, which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device displaying pins that areusually used for decoration, to show an emblem of a nation or otherorganization, as a badge of merit or accomplishment, as an officialemblem, or as a badge or insignia of military rank, office, ormembership of an organization.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Decorative or ornamental pins, such as for example lapel pins, areusually used for decoration, to show an emblem of a nation or otherorganization, as a badge of merit or accomplishment, as an officialemblem, or as a badge or insignia of military rank, office, ormembership of an organization. Many people take great pride indisplaying their pins to show their pride in and devotion to theircountry or an organization of which they are a member. An example ofthis type of pin is the lapel pins that display a national flag. Peoplealso take pride in displaying pins that were awarded to them torecognize them for their achievements or accomplishments, or for theirdistinguished service, rank, or office. Some pins may show ornate logosor trademarks or they may simply be for decorative or ornamentalpurposes. Some pins may be collectable. Such ornamental pins usuallyhave an ornamental body, which may be highly ornate or colorful, and oneor more prongs or pins projecting from the back of the ornamental body.The prongs are sharp enough to penetrate through one or more layers ofclothing. Ornamental pins having a single prong are common. Clutchfasteners, usually one for each prong, engage the prongs to secure theornamental pins to clothing by capturing the layers of clothing betweenthe ornamental body of the ornamental pin and the clutch fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,344, issued to Baughman on Mar. 26, 1985, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety, shows an example of anornamental pin. Many types of clutch fasteners are known that work withmost common types of pins or prongs. Examples of clutch fastenerssuitable for use with the pins or prongs of ornamental pins can be seenin U.S. Pat. No. 1,118,025, issued to H. Levin on Nov. 24, 1914, U.S.Pat. No. 1,192,612, issued to R. Fischer on Jul. 25, 1916, U.S. Pat. No.1,281,844, issued to L. J. Roy on Oct. 15, 1918, U.S. Pat. No.1,489,778, issued to E. Merzinger on Apr. 8, 1924, U.S. Pat. No.2,308,412, issued to F. A. Ballou, Jr., et al. on Jan. 12, 1943, U.S.Pat. No. 2,354,638, issued to Okerholm et al. on Jul. 25, 1944, U.S.Pat. No. 2,551,196, issued to F. A. Ballou, Jr., on May 1, 1951, U.S.Pat. No. 2,621,386, issued to D. H. Bowder on Dec. 16, 1952, U.S. Pat.No. 3,088,295, issued to Mervyn V. T. Haines on May 7, 1963, U.S. Pat.No. 3,698,044, issued to Chernow on Oct. 17, 1972, U.S. Pat. No.4,123,824, issued to Roberts on Nov. 7, 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,715,issued to Huddon on Oct. 6, 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,050, issued toFountoulakis on Feb. 26, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,344, issued toBaughman on Mar. 26, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,974, issued to Hernandezon Nov. 15, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,569, issued to Erickson on Mar.24, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,718, issued to Kelly on Nov. 23, 1999,which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Wearable straps such as belts or wrist bands that carry ornaments orother indicia are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,884,issued to Bailen on May 13, 1952, shows a belt that is divided intocompartments. One side of each compartment in the belt of Bailen istransparent for displaying block letters, numbers, or photographs. U.S.Pat. No. 3,585,743, issued to Jeffers on Jun. 22, 1971, shows a dogcollar with a holder for an identification tag or license that providesthe dog owner's name and address. U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,856, issued toMcManus on Feb. 11, 1975, shows a watch band having a compartment forcarrying a card with emergency information such as medical information.U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,036, issued to Krug on Oct. 7, 1980, shows ahospital identification bracelet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,258, issued toMorse et al. on Jun. 11, 1985, shows a belt with flashing light emittingdiodes for improving the visibility of pedestrians at night. U.S. Pat.No. 4,691,460, issued to Kohl on Sep. 8, 1987, shows a decorative plaquefor belts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,067, issued to Prout on Mar. 3, 1992,shows a wrist band carrying an identification plate. U.S. Pat. No.6,578,982, issued to Lynch on Jun. 17, 2003, shows a strap-like apparelwith lighted studs. U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,689, issued to Emshoff on May 1,2012, shows an enclosure for displaying decorative pins that resembles apocket watch and can be used for shelf-top display. U.S. Pat. No.8,776,271, issued to Randolph on Jul. 15, 2014, shows a strap withcompartments that hold magnets; the magnets then magnetically holdornaments against the exterior of the strap. However, none of theaforementioned straps are suitable for displaying ornamental pins. Theneed persists in the art for a strap-like device to securely displayornamental pins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a strap-like device for displayingdecorative or ornamental pins such as lapel pins and the like. Thedisplay device is constructed of an outer band, a middle band, and aninner band. The outer band has holes to allow the prongs of theornamental pins to pass through the outer band and engage clutchfasteners that are held captive between the inner and outer bands whilebeing received at least in part within openings provided in the middlelayer. A buckle or other means is provided for attaching the free endsof the strap-like device to each other.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a pin display devicefor use with one or more ornamental pins, each ornamental pin having anornamental body and at least one prong, the ornamental body having aback side and the prong projecting from the back side of the ornamentalbody, the pin display device comprising:

an outer band having first and second free ends;

means for releasably securing together the first and second free ends ofthe outer band;

an inner band;

a middle band coextensive with a portion of the outer band, the middleband also being coextensive with at least a portion of the inner band,the middle band being positioned between the outer band and the innerband, the middle band, the outer band, and the inner band being attachedtogether with the middle band being captured between the outer band andthe inner band, the middle band having one or more openings; and

one or more clutch fasteners each being received at least in part withina respective one of the one or more openings of the middle band, themiddle band, the outer band, and the inner band cooperatively securingeach of the one or more clutch fasteners in position relative to therespective one of the one or more openings of the middle band,

wherein each of the one or more clutch fasteners can receive at least aportion of the prong of a respective ornamental pin through the outerband to thereby releasably secure the respective ornamental pin to thepin display device.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a pin displaydevice featuring any of the aspects of the present invention as setforth previously, wherein there are a plurality of the clutch fastenersand a plurality of openings in the middle band of the same number as theplurality of clutch fasteners.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pindisplay device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention asset forth previously, wherein the middle band, the outer band, and theinner band are attached together by stitching.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pindisplay device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention asset forth previously, wherein the means for releasably securing togetherthe first and second free ends of the outer band comprises:

a buckle having a prong provided at the first free end of the outerband; and

a plurality of holes provided along a portion of the outer bandproximate the second free end of the outer band for selective engagementby the prong of the buckle for releasably securing together the firstand second free ends of the outer band.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pindisplay device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention asset forth previously, wherein the outer band is provided with one ormore prong passage holes equal in number to the one or more openings ofthe middle band, each of the one or more prong passage holes being inregistry with a respective one of the one or more openings of the middleband, wherein each of the one or more prong passage holes allows theprong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through the outer band andengage a respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners when therespective ornamental pin is secured to the pin display device.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a pindisplay device featuring any of the aspects of the present invention asset forth previously, wherein the inner band is provided with one ormore fastener access holes equal in number to the one or more openingsof the middle band, each of the one or more fastener access holes beingin registry with a respective one of the one or more openings of themiddle band, wherein each of the one or more fastener access holesallows a user to operate a respective one of the one or more clutchfasteners to allow removal of the prong of a respective ornamental pinfrom the respective one of the one or more clutch fasteners when theuser desires to remove the respective ornamental pin from the pindisplay device while the respective one of the one or more clutchfasteners remains captured at least in part by the inner band.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be made clearerupon study of the detailed description of the invention provided belowand the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 are views of a first embodiment of a pin display device inaccordance with the present invention showing decorative or ornamentalpins mounted thereto.

FIGS. 3-4 are exploded views of the first embodiment of a pin displaydevice in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer band of the pin display devicein accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 6-7 are views of the first embodiment of a pin display device inaccordance with the present invention showing decorative or ornamentalpins mounted thereto and the ends of the device disconnected.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of second embodiment of a pin displaydevice in accordance with the present invention showing an alternativebuckle design.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a clutch fastener for use with a pindisplay device in accordance with the present invention.

The same reference characters denote the corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention is directed to astrap-like device 100 for displaying decorative pins 101 such as lapelpins or the like. The display device 100, also referred to herein as apin band, is a layered band of material that integrates multiplevertical spring clutch fasteners to accept, secure and release singleprong lapel pins for display as a wristband, hatband, or component of abelt or carry bag.

The pin band 100 can be integrated into animal equipment such as horsehalters or dog collars to sort and identify animals or distinguishcertified service animals.

The pin band 100 is constructed of an outer band 102, a middle band 104,and an inner band 106. The outer band 102 has holes 108 to allow pinprongs 110 to pass through the outer band 102. The middle band 104 hasholes or openings 112 each of which receives at least a portion of acorresponding clutch fastener 114 in registry with a corresponding hole108 of the outer band 102 to allow a pin prong 110 to enter the clutchfastener 114 and be releasably captured by the clutch fastener 114.Accordingly, at least a portion of each pin prong 110 is received in thecorresponding clutch fastener and in the corresponding opening 112 ofthe middle band 104 when the corresponding decorative pin is mounted tothe pin display band 100. Preferably, the middle band 104 forms a pad ofsufficient thickness to accommodate and conceal at least a portion ofthe corresponding clutch fastener 114 and allows the decorative pinornament 116 to lie flat against the outer band 102. Depending on thetype of clutch fastener 114, each opening 112 may receive the cylinderof the corresponding clutch fastener 114.

The inner band 106 contains the clutch fasteners 114 securely within theopenings 112 of the middle band 104 while still allowing for clutchfasteners to function properly. Depending on the type of clutch fastenerused the inner band 106 may completely close off the correspondingopening 112, or the inner band 106 may be provided with one or moreopenings 118 that are in registry with one or more correspondingopenings 112 of the middle band 104. The openings 118 are sized to allowa user access to the clutch fasteners 114 for operating the clutchfasteners, at least for performing the release function of the clutchfastener, while securely holding or capturing the clutch fastener 114 inposition at least in part within its corresponding opening 112 of themiddle band 104. In one preferred embodiment, the openings 118 allow auser access to the clutch fasteners 114 for operating the clutchfasteners by providing for at least the head portion or knob 120 of theclutch fastener 114 to project outward from the back side of the innerband 104, where it can be easily accessed by the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch fasteners 114 are of the typethat has a head portion or knob 120 and a hollow body 122, whichcontains the clutch mechanism. The clutch fasteners 114 form themechanism by which the decorative pins are secured to and released fromthe pin display band 100. Referring to FIG. 9, the hollow body 122 ofthe clutch fastener 114 has a dome portion 124 that receives the knob120 and a cylinder 126 which contains the clutch mechanism. The knob 120is gripped to release the decorative pin 101. In the illustratedembodiment, the clutch, fasteners 114 are of the type shown in U.S. Pat.No. 2,621,386, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. The knob 120 is biased by spring 128 to push a cage 130 into atapering cup 132. The cage 130 carries ball or roller bearings 134. Asthe cage 130 is pushed into the tapering cup 132 by the pressure of thespring 128, the tapering walls of the cup 132 force the ball bearings134 against the prong 110 of the decorative pin 101 to frictionallysecure the prong 110 within the clutch fastener 114. In turn, once theprong 110 is secured within the clutch fastener 114, the decorative pin101 will be secured to the pin display band 100. Pulling the knob 120outward away from the hollow body 122 moves the ball bearings 134 alongwith the cage 130 to a wider portion of the tapering cup 132, where thetapering walls of the cup are farther apart, which allows the ballbearings 134 to move away from and release the prong 110. Once the prong110 is released the decorative pin can be removed from the pin displayband 100.

In use, the prong 110 of the decorative pin 101 is inserted through theouter band 102, passing through at least a portion of the middle band104 where the prong 110 is received in the corresponding clutch fastener114. The decorative pin 101 can be removed from the band 100 by grippingand pulling the knob 120 of the clutch fastener 114 and placing anopposing pulling force on the decorative pin 101.

The free ends 136 and 138 of the outer band 102 can be releasablysecured to each other by any appropriate means. In the illustratedexample, a buckle 140 is provided at the first free end 136 of the outerband 102. The buckle 140 includes a frame 142 and a prong 144. Thebuckle 140 is engageable with any one of a plurality of holes 146, asselected by the user, provided in a portion 148 of the outer band 102proximate the second free end 138 to secure the free ends 136 and 138 toeach other. A Keeper 150 helps keep the portion 148 of the outer band102 proximate the second free end 138 from disengaging from the buckle140 accidentally.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the buckle 140 may be replaced with abuckle 152 that has a prong 154 that is pivotally attached to a centerpost 156 in the frame 158 rather than to one side of the buckle frame asin the buckle 140. The use of the keeper 150 would be optional with thebuckle 152 as the rear member 160 of the buckle frame 158 can act as akeeper. Other means that can be used for releasably securing the freeends 136 and 138 of the outer band 102 include, but are not limited to,complementary hook and loop fastener portions provided on the portionsof the outer band 102 proximate the free ends 136 and 138, single ordouble rings that one free end of the outer band 102 can be loopedthrough, snap hooks and any other means suitable for connecting the endsof a strap or straps.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch fasteners 114 are positionedin their respective openings 112 in the middle band 104, with the knobsof the fasteners 114 protruding from the respective openings 118 in theinner band 106, and the bands 102, 104, and 106 are sewn or stitchedtogether by stitching along or near their coextensive borders and at theends of the inner band 106 to assemble the pin display band 100together. Alternatively, the middle and outer bands 104 and 102 only maybe stitched together at or near their coextensive borders, while theinner band 106 is stitched at least to the outer band at its ends. Theinner band 106 can then be securely held against the middle band 104 allalong the length of the middle band by a hook and loop fastenerarrangement. This arrangement allows the inner band 106 to be pulledaway from the middle ban 104 when needed in order to allow repair orreplacement of the clutch fasteners 114.

The pin display band 100 provides means to display several decorativepins in a grouping. The pin display band 100 can be personalized byremoving and inserting various decorative pins. The pin display band 100secures the decorative pins in a location to decrease the risk of loss.The pin display band 100 provides means to display decorative pinswithout causing damage to clothing. The pin display band 100 providesincreased visibility of decorative pins to enhance marketing efforts ofcompanies and organizations. The pin display band 100 provides means todisplay additional achievement recognition decorative pins whileadhering to organizational dress codes. For example, the Future Farmersof America (F.F.A.) dress code prohibits more than your top threeachievement pins to be displayed on your lapel at one time.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A pin display device for use with one or more ornamental pins, eachornamental pin having an ornamental body and at least one prong, theornamental body having a back side and the prong projecting from theback side of the ornamental body, the pin display device comprising: anouter band having first and second free ends; means for releasablysecuring together said first and second free ends of said outer band; aninner band; a middle band coextensive with a portion of said outer band,the middle band also being coextensive with at least a portion of saidinner band, said middle band being positioned between said outer bandand said inner band, said middle band, said outer band, and said innerband being attached together with said middle band being capturedbetween said outer band and said inner band, said middle band having oneor more openings; and one or more clutch fasteners each being receivedat least in part within a respective one of said one or more openings ofsaid middle band, said middle band, said outer band, and said inner bandcooperatively securing each of said one or more clutch fasteners inposition relative to said respective one of said one or more openings ofsaid middle band, wherein each of said one or more clutch fasteners canreceive at least a portion of the prong of a respective ornamental pinthrough said outer band to thereby releasably secure the respectiveornamental pin to the pin display device.
 2. The pin display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said clutchfasteners and a plurality of openings in said middle band of the samenumber as said plurality of clutch fasteners.
 3. A pin display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said middle band, said outer band, andsaid inner band are attached together by stitching.
 4. A pin displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securingtogether said first and second free ends of said outer band comprises: abuckle having a prong provided at said first free end of said outerband; and a plurality of holes provided along a portion of said outerband proximate said second free end of said outer band for selectiveengagement by said prong of said buckle for releasably securing togethersaid first and second free ends of said outer band.
 5. A pin displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein said outer band is provided withone or more prong passage holes equal in number to said one or moreopenings of said middle band, each of said one or more prong passageholes being in registry with a respective one of said one or moreopenings of said middle band, wherein each of said one or more prongpassage holes allows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to passthrough said outer band and engage a respective one of said one or moreclutch fasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to thepin display device.
 6. A pin display device according to claim 1,wherein said inner band is provided with one or more fastener accessholes equal in number to said one or more openings of said middle band,each of said one or more fastener access holes being in registry with arespective one of said one or more openings of said middle band, whereineach of said one or more fastener access holes allows a user to operatea respective one of said one or more clutch fasteners to allow removalof the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one ofsaid one or more clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove therespective ornamental pin from the pin display device while saidrespective one of said one or more clutch fasteners remains captured atleast in part by said inner band.
 7. A pin display device according toclaim 2, wherein said middle band, said outer band, and said inner bandare attached together by stitching.
 8. A pin display device according toclaim 7, wherein said means for releasably securing together said firstand second free ends of said outer band comprises: a buckle having aprong provided at said first free end of said outer band; and aplurality of holes provided along a portion of said outer band proximatesaid second free end of said outer band for selective engagement by saidprong of said buckle for releasably securing together said first andsecond free ends of said outer band.
 9. A pin display device accordingto claim 8, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality ofprong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings ofsaid middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being inregistry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holesallows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through saidouter band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutchfasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pindisplay device.
 10. A pin display device according to claim 9, whereinsaid inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holesequal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, eachof said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with arespective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band,wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operatea respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removalof the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one ofsaid plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove therespective ornamental pin from the pin display device while saidrespective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured atleast in part by said inner band.
 11. A pin display device according toclaim 2, wherein said means for releasably securing together said firstand second free ends of said outer band comprises: a buckle having aprong provided at said first free end of said outer band; and aplurality of holes provided along a portion of said outer band proximatesaid second free end of said outer band for selective engagement by saidprong of said buckle for releasably securing together said first andsecond free ends of said outer band.
 12. A pin display device accordingto claim 11, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality ofprong passage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings ofsaid middle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being inregistry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holesallows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through saidouter band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutchfasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pindisplay device.
 13. A pin display device according to claim 12, whereinsaid inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holesequal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, eachof said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with arespective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band,wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operatea respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removalof the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one ofsaid plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove therespective ornamental pin from the pin display device while saidrespective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured atleast in part by said inner band.
 14. A pin display device according toclaim 2, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prongpassage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being inregistry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holesallows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through saidouter band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutchfasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pindisplay device.
 15. A pin display device according to claim 14, whereinsaid inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holesequal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, eachof said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with arespective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band,wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operatea respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removalof the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one ofsaid plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove therespective ornamental pin from the pin display device while saidrespective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured atleast in part by said inner band.
 16. A pin display device according toclaim 7, wherein said outer band is provided with a plurality of prongpassage holes equal in number to said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, each of said plurality of prong passage holes being inregistry with a respective one of said plurality of openings of saidmiddle band, wherein each of said plurality of prong passage holesallows the prong of a respective ornamental pin to pass through saidouter band and engage a respective one of said plurality of clutchfasteners when the respective ornamental pin is secured to the pindisplay device.
 17. A pin display device according to claim 16, whereinsaid inner band is provided with plurality of fastener access holesequal in number to said plurality of openings of said middle band, eachof said plurality of fastener access holes being in registry with arespective one of said plurality of openings of said middle band,wherein said plurality of fastener access holes allows a user to operatea respective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners to allow removalof the prong of a respective ornamental pin from said respective one ofsaid plurality of clutch fasteners when the user desires to remove therespective ornamental pin from the pin display device while saidrespective one of said plurality of clutch fasteners remains captured atleast in part by said inner band.